Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India]: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin strongly opposed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, calling it an “impractical and anti-democratic move” that threatens regional voices, federalism, and governance.
The Union Cabinet has approved introducing the draconian ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ in Parliament. This impractical and anti-democratic move will erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 12, 2024
Rise up #INDIA!
Let us resist this attack on Indian Democracy…
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Stalin urged the leaders of the INDIA bloc to resist the bill, terming it an attack on Indian democracy.
“The Union Cabinet has approved introducing the draconian ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’ in Parliament. This impractical and anti-democratic move will erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance. Rise up #INDIA! Let us resist this attack on Indian Democracy with all our strength,” Stalin wrote.
Kangana Ranaut Supports ‘One Nation, One Election’
On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut praised the initiative, emphasizing its potential to reduce financial strain on the government and address declining voter turnout.
“’One Nation, One Election’ is very important because conducting elections every six months costs the government treasury a great deal. The biggest challenge is encouraging people to come out and vote repeatedly. Voter turnout is declining every year. This is the need of the hour, and everyone supports it,” Ranaut stated while speaking to the media.
Union Cabinet Approves the Bill
The Union Cabinet’s approval of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill has paved the way for its introduction in Parliament. A comprehensive bill is expected soon, aimed at synchronizing Lok Sabha, Assembly, urban body, and panchayat elections nationwide within a 100-day window.
Kovind Stresses Consensus
Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind, who chairs the committee on the initiative, stressed the importance of consensus, highlighting its significance beyond political interests.
“This issue is not about the interest of any single party but of the nation. ‘One Nation, One Election’ will be a game-changer–not just my opinion but that of economists, who predict that its implementation could boost the country’s GDP by 1-1.5 per cent,” Kovind said on Wednesday.
Background
The proposal, approved by the Union Cabinet in September, is based on recommendations by a high-level panel chaired by Kovind. Proponents argue that unified elections will reduce financial and logistical challenges, while critics, including opposition leaders like Stalin, raise concerns about its impact on federalism and regional representation.